Abies balsamea

• BOTANICAL NAME: Abies balsamea
• COMMON NAME: Balsam Fir
• FAMILY: Pinaceae
• NATIVITY: Found in the northern range, or mountains in the south.  
• GROWTH HABIT:  40-75’
• HARDINESS:  Zone 3 to (5) 6
• OPTIMUM GROWING CONDITIONS:  Acidic, well-drained, yet moist soils and cooler climates.  Prefers shade.
• SUCCESSIONAL STATUS:  Climax
• FACULTATIVE STATUS: Facultative
• LANDSCAPE VALUE:  Grows well in moist bogs and swamps, also nice evergreen so color year round.
• FOLIAGE:   Evergreen, needles look suction-cupped to twig.  Leaves are variable and horizontally arranged.
• BUDS:  Ovoid, resinous, and brown.
• BARK:  Smooth except for resin blisters; reddish brown in color.
• FRUIT:  Cones stand erect and shatter at maturity.
• PESTS:  Spruce budworm, woolly adelgid, and cankers